To: The Board of Directors, Officers, and membership through Mail Call and the Thunderbolt

In order to implement the 2003–2005 goal of obtaining the support of descendants and other family members to keep our Association thriving, I am, with the consent of the Officers and Directors appointing:

1. Bob Barrett (Ben’s son) and Wayne Cross (Tom’s son) historical specialists to support the faithful work of Clark Archer, our historian. It is an understatement to say that both Bob and Wayne are computer literate. Ben and Bob have organized our website and have given us Mail Call. They adds bits and pieces to our history each day. They also enrich our lives by keeping us in touch with each other and events important to us. All his life, Wayne Cross has lived with the historical events of the Combat Team through his father. He will work with Clark and Bob, keeping in touch with Carlisle Barracks and the airborne museum at Ft. Bragg. We hope to develop a two way street of information flow with these historic centers. We will add to their understanding of the role the Combat Team played in obtaining victory in the ETO. They will provide us bits of history Clark, Bob and Ben will add to our archives and the website.

2. Tom Reber (son of Bob Reber, deceased) as assistant to the president. Tom has attended our reunions, updated our roster, and prepared the Thunderbolt mailing list. As another under statement Tom is computer literate. He has a good knowledge of the membership and interest in the continued good health of the Association.

As we look to the future, we plan to bring more of the 517^th Combat Team family members into working parts of the Association. We will also strive to create new contacts among the discrete elements of the 517^th family to enhance their interaction and enjoyment of each other and Association activities.